Holiday Party Prep 101

Yule-time soirees offer the perfect opportunity to glam it up and experiment with new fun make up looks. And AVON is, as always, a fantastic resource for quality, affordable products that pack a mean beauty punch.

True Color Eyeshadow Quad in Metal Eyes: I love eyeshadow kits that tell you where to apply the color- a simple aspect that really helps yield stellar results. The mix of silvers and golds in this kit is also great for creating your own look. I am super into the sparkly white Snowglobe highlighter and the perfect moody pewter, Night Star.

True Color Eyeshadow Single in Bronze Luster: Bronze is so rich on the eyes and a unique take on the more traditionally festive silver and golds. It's also a great choice to make your green or blue eyes really pop.

Ultra Color Lip Crayon in Reddy for Me: Although I'm not a lipstick/lip color person, this chubby crayon option was a breeze to put on, left a nice pop of gold-flecked color, and lasted quite a while.

SuperShock Gel Eye Liner Pencil in BlackOut: Ever since Sephora SO rudely messed with their eye liner formula and thusly ruined my LIFE, I have been on the hunt for a new, intense, long lasting, black eye liner. And this stuff is the JAM. I love everything about it—it goes on smooth, the color is awesomely inky and it lasts even when applied to the inner waterline. Oh, but you know what I don't love? The fact that I carried it with me so often that I lost it! Arghdsdfjvldfjsdv!

AVON products can be found through your local representative or online at avon.com

A Fragrant Buffet

A brief history of my scents sense:

Middle School: GAP Dream and Love's Baby Soft (classics!)
High School: Bath & Body Works assorted body sprays (too many to count!)
College: Lancome Oui (sadly discontinued!)
Post-College: Dior Addict 2 (totally designer you guys!)
Post-Post College: Marc Jacobs Daisy (Ahhh smells SO good, I still wear it on the daily!)

Clearly I am a devoted donner of habit when it comes to perfumes and something has to truly move me to make it my everyday aroma. Out of the eight offerings in Avon's arsenal, I can honestly say I found one winner and a lot of okays.

Unplugged: Too creamy and got to be a bit much the longer I had to smell it.

Outspoken by Fergie: Started off a bit much but dried really nice into its notes of black leather.

Outspoken Intense by Fergie: She should've kept this one to herself. Too fruity and flowery!

Far Away: Too sweet at first, but settles and dries into something rather lovely.

Far Away Exotic: Would be nice for a date night, but too much for daily wear. 

Rare Pearls: Powdery and feminine, it dries to nice amber notes. This one was my runner-up fave.

Secrets to Keep: These names are ridiculous, no? Although this scent was ok.
 
And now my winner:

Step Into Sexy:  Cheesy name, great fragrance and my favorite by far! It's violet leaf and golden amber make it a perfect choice for a seductive date night.

You can find these scents and more online at Avon.com

I was hoping for Anew fabulous product....

....but alas, was a bit let down by Avon's Anew Clinical Line Eraser Treatment. The biggest bummer here was that after two weeks, I have yet to see any improvement in my fine facial lines. A secondary downer was the smell of this stuff! It's hard to explain my beef with the scent this Pro grade stuff presents, but if I have to take a stab at it, I'm gonna go with a combination of sunburn and hot dog water-major disturbance when you've applied it to your mug right before you lay you down to sleep. Next time the Avon lady comes calling (does she still do that?), I suggest you pass on her Line Eraser Treatment.

Avon Fragrance Favorites Sampler for Him

This combo pack comes with 8 mini bottles of various scents so that your man 

can try on a musk or two before committing! 

Unplugged: A pretty woody scent, slightly spicy and very manly.

Musk Marine: A cool, fresh, clean smell with notes of mint.

Derek Jeter, Driven: Fresh & clean, with bits of fruit and spice. 

Derek Jeter, Driven Black: A bit woody, with hints of citrus. My husband's fave of the sampler.

Urbanedge: Fresh and floral.

Black Suede: A very spicy mix of lemon and suede.

Wild Country: The perfect mix of floral and wood-a great, masculine scent.

Mesmerize: An extra strong, spicy combination. My least favorite of the bunch.

One Stuffed Stocking

Santa was exceptionally generous this year and 

filled my mantle-hung booty with all sorts of irresistible products!!

Check out what the big guy gifted me:

TIGI Dual Bronzer- This combo pack provides whatever you need on any given day! Feeling like you need a bit of bronze? Hit up the right side of this gem! Simply looking for a highlight to your cheek bones? Use the left! For a perfect, sunkissed glow, blend the two together!! This is a must have-especially during the winter when our skin lacks a bit of mother nature shed vitamin D.

Essence, Stay All Day Concealer-Santa really did think of everything!! I love this long lasting stick that hides my facial imperfections. It's easy application and beautiful blendability (is that a word? it is now!) make it a new key player in my arsenal of products!!

Lady Gaga, Fame- When she isn't belting out kick-butt pop and dance jams, abusing the piano in the best possible way, or rocking a meat-suit, Lady Gaga is designing perfumes! Contrary to popular belief, this is not a bottle of blood and semen scent, but rather a feminine fluid with notes of saphron, honey, and apricot!

Essence, Color & Go- Any super busy gal on the go who also loves a fresh manicure needs this polish in her life!! These cute little bottles of fun come in endless hues and really do provide a quick drying, professional finish.

Avon, Luxe Clutch Eyeshadow-This adorably packaged, mirrored compact contains 10 tempting shades of shadow, ideal for day or night! I plan to make this my go-to for eye lid hues at home or travel!

Essence-Stay All Day Long Lasting Eye Shadow-Santa knows I'm a hard working chick, who often puts in some long days, so this delicate yet powerful shadow is a must have to keep looking fresh faced throughout it all! I'm loving the shade "For Faries", but per the usual, Essence has an eye shadow in every flavor imaginable!

Avon ADVANCE TECHNIQUES Damage Repair 3D Rescue Leave-In Treatment

This leave-in conditioner from Avon make a lot of promises.
It does detangle like no body's business, but it seems to be made for fine haired folk who don't want to compromise volume.
On my super thick hair with a tendency to frizz, it is just okay.
Better if I use in combination with a standard conditioner.
Passing along to a follicularly challenged pal, will update post with results.

Avon Super Curl-acious Mascara

Navy/Marine

I am so disappointed.

This mascara sucks!!!

Half an hour = the time it took to get from my lashes to little flakes all over my face & shirt.

Also, did NOT curl my lashes.